Constant support device



Feb. 2, 1960 Filed Aug. 3, 1956 L. S. SUOZZO CONSTANT SUPPORT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LEONARD S. SUOZZO ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1960 Filed Aug. 3, 1956 L. S. SUOZZO CONSTANT SUPPORT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LEONARD S. SUOZZO ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1960 s. suozzo 2,923,507

CONSTANT SUPPORT DEVICE Filed Aug. 3, 1956 3 Sheets-$heet 3 INVENTOR LEONARD S. SUOZZO ATTORNE Y S ate TO,

This invention relates to a supportfor various type -6f loads, including pipes orthelike. The invention pertains,

in one of its'm'ore specific'aspec'ts, to a spring-loaded constant support device'thatisadaptedto permit vertical movement of alo ad and simultaneously subject the load to a substantiallyfjconstant supporting force. Thisapplica'tion'is a continuation-in-part of my copending". patent application Serial No. 555,010, filed December 23,-1955, now/"Patent. 2,903,213, and entitled Constant Support Deviccl The purposes and functions of devicesconstruc'ted in accordance with this invention and the objects of this invention are essentially the 'same' as 'those disclosed in my said copending application, to which reference may be had for details. T f

i' The present invention hasfor an additional object the provision of a constant support device that not only embodies the principal features of certain of the devices disclosed in my said copending application, but further is simpler and even more compact in design, less expensive in manufacturing cost and more efiicient in operation.

. As in the case of devices according to my said copendingapplication, thedevice of this invention includes a support and a' spring mechanism comprising at least one spring that defines an axial'through opening which is stationary relative to the support. One of the features of this invention resides in theprovision of rod means within the spring opening and forming separate pivotal connectionswith a movable backing unit of the spring mecha- 'nisin and with a lever that is also pivotal with respect to the frame and a load-carrying unit. There is provided an adjustable means for varying the effective length of the rod means in a manner to correspondingly vary the loading on the spring and the distance between the pivotal .Iconnections of the rod means with the movable backing I unit and the lever. The parts are so constructed and ar- 2,923,507 I Patented Feb.

Fig. 3 is a view in 'side elevation of the upper forward portion of support means and illustrating elements of a combined-travel stop and indicator means; V

Fig'. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away and other parts being in cross section for better illustration;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an elevation view as seen from the left of Fig. 4; and I I I Fig. 7 is a view'in side elevation of a modified form of the invention, parts being omitted for better illustration of other parts.

Referring. now to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the sev- 'eral..views, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through,6, a support that is generally indicated by numeral 10 comprises a horizontally disposed cylindrical protective housing 11, having an elongated slot 12, and a stationary backing unit 13 welded or otherwise secured'to the forward end of the housing. Backing unit 13 includes a plate 14 that extends across the forward end of the housing and that has a central through aperture 15. Integral'with plate 14 is a forwardly projecting top flange 16 having a pair of drill holes 17 for reception of suitable connectors,- such as bolts (not shown) for afiixing thesupport to an overhead structure such as -a beam. 'A'jpa ir of spaced parallel plates 20 are welded "to plate 14 and flange 16 andare provided with aligned-arcuate slots 21. An indicator plate 22, that is best shown in Fig. 3 is positioned adjacent each slot 21 and is graduated as indicated at 23 for purposes that will be explained further along herein; 1 :Alever 25 includes apair of parallel arms 26 that are maintained in the illustrated spaced apart relation by a hub 27. A shaft 28 extends through hub 27 and is supported at its ends by plates 26.; A pin 30 is carried by plates 26 and registers at its ends with corresponding arcuate slots 21 Pin 30 is parallel to shaft 28. Each end of the pin is provided with an ipdicator marking 31 that coacts with the graduations 23 toindicate the angular position of lever 25 and the extent of travel of a load that is supported by the apparatus. Pin 30 also serves as a stop to limit pivotal movement of the lever to theextent allowed by slots 21..

gran'gedjthat variations in the effective length of the rod rmeansand resulting variations in the spring loading do :not' materially eiTect the moment produced by the spring .iforce'" and the rod means and associated elements in use. .Tnfother' words, the parts are interrelated and cooperate in .a manner whereby the device exerts a substantially conant-supporting force throughoutits-range of adjusta- .bility. I

The objects, together with the advantages and benefits obtaiuablebyme use of theapparatusof this invention, bereadily understood by. personsff skilled in' the art "upon reference to't'he following detailed description. taken .in co njunction with the annexed. dr a win gsgwhich respectively describe and illustrate several forms of apparatus embodying the invention.' In the-drawings: v j s Fig. 1 is a view in central longitudinal .vertical cross section of a spring support device constructed in accordance with the invention; 4 x p 1-: .Fig. .2 is. a'view in enlargement. takenv along ligg2-2 of-Figtlt" j.

Each of a pair of pivot pins 32 is carried by a corresponding lever arm 26. These pins are coaxial and are connected. to elements that will be described further along herein. Y

Secured to and extending rearwardly of plate 14 is a cage 33 that serves as a guide means for parts to be de: scribed. The guide means consists of a pair of spaced parallel plates 34 that are disposed to opposite sides of aperture 15 and a bottom plate 35 that is disposed below aperture 15. Plates 34 and 35 are welded to each other and to plate 14 to-obtain a sturdy, rigid, unitary structure. Plates 34 are formed with aligned slots 36 that define a horizontal path.

Reference is now had-to Figs. 1, 4 and 5 for an understanding of the construction of a spring mechanism which preferably comprises a single helical compression sp ring 40 that is positioned wholly within housing- 11 and that bears at one end against plate 1 4 of stationarybacking unit 13 and at its other end against a movable backing unit 41'. I The partsiare so constructed and arranged-that the longitudinal axis of the spring is at all times stationary and parallel to or coincidental with the path defined by ot .1 .5 Backing unit 41 comprises a circular end plate 42. having a central through opening 43, acylindrical side wall 44 and an annular flange 45 against which the rear end of spring .40 bears. Cylindrical side wall;44 maintains the spring in proper alignment. The movable backing unit-also includes an arm 46 that is threaded at one end and that extend's'tiirough plate opening 43. A not 47 engages the threadedend" ofarm46 and forms a permanent connection therewith preferably by welding, as indicated at 48. A washer 49- is interposed between pl'ate42 andnut47;"

Integral with arm 46 i'sja clfevi's 50iwhichr includes a pair of spacedpara'llerarms' 511that carry ashaftSL. A hearing sleeve 53, best shown in, Fig. is positioned on shaft 52, between clevisl arms 51; and is formedwith an. annular recess154. Coaxial with shaft 52 and. disposed at each end of sleeve 53' isa combined spacer and roller 55 that registers with a corresponding slot 36 and that is adapted to move along the path defined by \the'guide means. Retaining rings or' washers 5 6" are secured to theends of shaft 52- by welding; as indicated jat 5 7,or in any other manner known to the art. I I The apparatus of thisinvention includes a rod means that is connectdito backing unit-41 and movable with respechthereto aboutthe axis of shaft 52' and'that is connected to lever 25 and movablewith respect thereto about the common axis of pins 32. The rod means comprises an 'eye bolt 6fl'having a circular head 61 that engages bearing sleeve 53 and registers with annular'recess 54 thereof. It will be appreciatedfrorrr an examination of Figs. 1 and'S that eyeboIt 60' is-pivotal about the axis of" shaft: 52. Theeyeboltextends through a central opening 62 in web 63 of a second *cl'evis 64* (Fig; 2-) which is movable through aperture 15' (Fig: 1); clevis has a pairof spaced'parallel arms 65 that are connected to pins 32 and are pivotal about the common" axis thereof.

The effective length'of the rod means and; therefore; the distance between the axis of shaft 5 2-and the common axis of pins 32' maybe readily adjusted through the medium. of a nut 66 thatthreadedly engages bolt '60; Nut 66' consists of a head 67, which is'- adapted to be turned by: a wrench or other suitable tool, and an elongatedtubul'ar extension 68 (-Fig: 2'); A spacing sleeve 69 iscarriedby the eyebolt and is positioned 'between nut 66 and clevi'sweb 63'; i

Assuming that spring 60 is under a predetermined compressiveloading and thatthe-apparatus-is not carrying an external load; then the parts will be in the relative that is secured to lever arms 26. Unit 76 comprises "oblong ring 77"which" is provided' with a'pair of coaxial pins 80 that are journaled in the lever arms and maintained thereon by retaining rings or the like 81. The axis of pins 80 is parallel to the axes of shaft 28, pins 32 and shaft 52. A block 82 is positioned in ring 77 and A rod 83 is a is affixed thereto by welding. orgotherwise. threaded at" it upper: end for engagement. ,with a central through tap in block 82. This rod "is" aLlapt'ed to be connected; to an: arrangement: of, piping on other load: (not shown); ,Itz will be obs'enved" thatunilz 1Gj8 pivotal about the axis of pins 80. 1

For the purpose of briefly outlining the operation of the apparatusshown in Figs; 1" through 6, i'tis' assumed that the parts haizebeemassernbIedand are in the relative position shown in those views. With the ,parts so arranged, the apparatus is set up to support the normal load for which it is. designed, asthe free extremityof tubular extension 68is' atfj (l of scaIef15(Fig.l1)" The apparatus is suspended from aheain oi'fothei: overhead r structure by means. bolts that ext end jthroug h di ilfholes' 17. The load may' consistoff a series of pipes that transmit' a high stemperature fiuid The parts a're so con: structed and arranged'f'that the app'arat'us -furfiishes "a substantially constantv liftingi support: for the" pipes, whi1e permitting the pipesto move upwardly' or downwardly position shown in Fig. 1 with" lever 25 at its extreme clockwise pivotal" position about the axis of shaft 28, as allowed by pins 30 alldgSlOiIS 21'. The springloading maybe readily increased or decreased as desired by merelyturning nut 66 in the corresponding direction about the eyeboltr This wi1l= correspondingly vary the effective length of the rod means and the distance betweentheax'eso'f. shaft 52' and pins 32. Thus when the spring loading i'sincreased, the effective length of therod means is correspondingly decreased; and, when the spring loading is decreased, the efiectivelength of therod means is correspondingly increased. 7

The apparatus also includes' 'a nreansthat coacts with not 66' to indicate theextent; if. any; of increases or de creases in spring loading withreference to the normal spring loading for which a particular size apparatus 'is designed. In this connectionl provide a'tubul'armember 70- having an end wall 71 whicli is apertured to receive reduced diameter end 72 of the-eyebolt. The tubular member is affixed' to the eyebol't preferablyby a-weld 73'.v

Member70 has-apair of diametrically' opposed slots 74 extension 68 coacts with scale '75 to indicate variations in the' spring loading as tiwill= be evident from an examinationr'offFigsgl'and2. i i 1 Reference; is nexuharhto: 1E andr14z for anirun'derof. the; cousir ctiom ofa l3; loadecarrying' unit; 75

as' a; result of expansion or contraction duelto variations in temperature of. the .pipes. Downwardf movement of the load imparts corresponding counterclockwise move mentto IeVe'rZSiabout' the or'shafi zs. The. lever coacts with the rod means tor corr'espondingly move r'nov able backingunit fiftowardthe'left as viewediin Fig; 1. j The balancing. effect obtained by .the apparatus will. be recognized by persons skilled" in the art upon consideration of'the drawings: Reference may? also be had to my said copendi'n'gapplication which discloses several re lated forms: of' apparatus and further detailsof operation. m p 7: i I In the present application axis" of shaft, 28" con" stitutes: a first pivotal axis; the axis of shaft 52 constitutes a second pivotallaxis, the common axis ofpins 32'con stitutes a, third pivotaliaxis' ar'rdthe common 'axisrof' constitutes a" fourth pivotal axis; These axes coop crate with the illustrated and described parts to '2 afford a constant support device whichis capable of attaining the objectives and" benefits of this'invention.-

Fig. 7 illustrates a r'nodifi d form ofith'e invention i corresponds to; support 10 of F ig'r l SupportQ85 comprises a cylindrical" housing 86 hav'ing' arrend plate 87 corresponding to plate 14. Housing86"ispositioned vertically instead of hori'zont'allyflas in the caseof housing 11. Welded to housing 86 is aibracketf 88*that carries a bol't89- for, attachment toamoverhead support; The spring mechanism is the same as the: earlier described spring mechanism, but is positioned verti'cally within the housinginstead of horizont'a'llyaf 'IievenQQis similantb lever 25 but is of sonrewhat different configuration. The pivotal axes of the, parts, are allpar'arll lfltb each other but are disposed intherelative positions shown in' Fig]. It will be observed that the fourth pivotal axis (pins: 80) is beneath i bolt 89; and to 1 the sideof a line extending from. the second pivotal axis (shaft 52);;- the-third The form oft "invention shown in }7' operatesfin substantially the same'mannefi as that illustrated in- Figs; 1 through 6. s

From the foregoing, it is believed that "the objects, construction,- operation andadvantages of mypresent invention will be readily:comprehended by persons skilled in the art, without further descriptions: Although the invention hasbeen herein shown and described in several simPle a d practicable forms, it'is recognizedi that' cen tain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts or elements which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details described herein, but is to be accorded the full scope and protection of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a support including a stationary first backing unit, a lever connected to the support and movable with respect thereto about a first pivotal axis, a spring mechanism carried by the support and including a second backing unit that is spaced from and movable with respect to the first backing unit, spring means disposed between and bearing against the backing units, said spring means defining a longitudinal opening, means within said opening and comprising rod means connected to the second backing unit and movable with respect thereto about a second pivotal axis, said rod means being connected to the lever and movable with respect thereto about a third pivotal axis, stationary guide means carried by the support and having at least one slot which defines a path that is substantially parallel to the axis of said opening, and coupling means connecting the rod means to the guide means and pivotally connecting the rod means to the second backing unit, said coupling means projecting to at least one side of the rod means, said coupling means registering with said slot and being movable along said path, said coupling means permitting sliding movement of the rod means and the second backing unit relative to the guide means along said path, and a load-carrying unit connected to the lever.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a support including a stationary backing unit, a lever connected to the support and movable with respect thereto about a first pivotal axis, a spring mechanism carried by the support and including a movable backing unit that is spaced from the stationary backing unit, spring means disposed between and bearing against the backing units, said spring means comprising a spring that defines a rectilinear through opening, stationary guide means carried by the support and projecting into said opening, said guide means having at least one slot which defines a path that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring, rod means within the opening, a shaft connected to the movable backing unit, coupling means pivotally connecting the shaft to the rod means, said coupling means projecting to at least one side of the rod means, said coupling means registering with said slot and being movable along said path, said rod means being connected to the lever and movable with respect thereto about ,a third pivotal axis, and a load-carrying unit connected to the lever. v

3. In apparatus of the character described, a support, first and second backing units carried by the support, said first backing unit being stationary and defining a through aperture, said second backing unit being movable with respect to the first backing unit, a lever disposed to the movable with respect to the second backing unit about a second pivotal axis and movable with respect to the lever about a third pivotal axis, adjustable means for varying the efiective length of the rod means to thereby correspondingly vary the loading on the spring and the distance between the second and third pivotal axes, indicating means carried by the rod means for denoting variations in the effective length of the rod means, stationary guide means carried by the support and projecting into said opening, said guide means having at least one slot which defines a path that is substantially parallel to the axis of the spring, coupling means connecting the rod means to the guide means and pivotally connecting the rod means to the second backing unit, said coupling means projecting to at least one side of the rod means, said coupling means registering with said slot and being movable along said path, and a load-carrying unit connected to the lever and movable with respect thereto about a fourth pivotal axis, said pivotal axes being spaced apart and substantially parallel.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the axis of the spring is substantially horizontal, wherein the first first pivotal axis is below the second and third pivotal axes, and wherein the third pivotal axis is between the second and fourth pivotal axes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the axis of the spring is substantially vertical and wherein the first and fourth pivotal axes are spaced from and disposed to opposite sides of a line that is normal to the second and third pivotal axes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,937,135 Wood Nov. 28, 1933 2,159,870 Wert May 23, 1939 2,256,784 Wood Sept. 23, 1941 2,391,467 Loepsinger Dec. 25, 1945 2,618,449 Kohler Nov. 18, 1952 2,709,057 Gould May 24, 1955 2,756,014 Leibfried July 24, 1956 

